In 2008, about 515,000 people were injured and 5,870 people lost their lives in police-reported crashes where at least one form of driver distraction was reported on the crash report. While these numbers are significant, they may not state the true size of the problem, since identifying distractions and their role in crashes can be very difficult for law enforcement. (Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)
DOT, FMCSA Announce Immediate Ban of Texting While Driving Commercial Vehicles
Jan. 26. 2010—U.S Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood was joined by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) administrator Anne Ferro at a Jan. 26, 2010 press conference to announce federal guidance expressly prohibiting texting by drivers of commercial vehicles such as large trucks and buses. The prohibition is effective immediately and is the latest in a series of actions taken by the Department of Transportation (DOT) to combat distracted driving since the Secretary convened a national summit on the issue last September. The action is the result of DOT's interpretation of standing rules. Truck and bus drivers who text while driving commercial vehicles may be subject to civil or criminal penalties of up to $2,750. FMCSA research shows that drivers who send and receive text messages take their eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds out of every 6 seconds while texting. Drivers who text while driving are 20 times more likely to get in an accident than non-distracted drivers. Because of the safety risks associated with the use of electronic devices while driving, FMCSA is working on additional regulatory measures that will be announced in the coming months. The regulatory guidance on this announcement is available in the Jan. 27, 2010 Federal Register. Remarks from the press conference can be found at www.dot.gov/affairs/2010/lahood01262010.htm.
Transportation Safety Organizations Urge Comprehensive Solution to Distracted Driving (October 2009)
AAMVA joined other leading transportation organizations in a letter sent to the U.S. Congress urging a comprehensive approach to address the dangers posed by distracted driving...
On this page AAMVA attempts to list a cross-section of information and resources on the study and prevention of the distracted driving epidemic that has taken hold in the U.S. and throughout the world.
This list is not exhaustive, and may or may not reflect the policies or opinions of AAMVA.
Enforcing Texting and Cell Phone Laws (by Ed Klumpp, Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police)
FocusDriven: A nonprofit organization that supports victims of cell phone distracted driving and families of victims, and increase public awareness of the dangers of cell phone distracted driving by puting a human face on the disastrous impact of this behavior, in order to promote corresponding public policies, programs and personal responsibility. www.FocusDriven.org
DOT Unveils New Website Dedicated to Combating Distracted Driving (Dec. 29, 2009) | www.Distraction.gov
DOT and FCC Join Forces to Combat Distracted Driving (Nov. 4, 2009)
Testimony of Chairman Julius Genachowski, FCC,
Driven To Distraction: Technological Devices and Vehicle Safety
Before the Subcommittees on Communications, Technology and the Internet and Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection Committee on Energy and Commerce, U.S. House of Representatives
Joint letter to Congress to Address Distracted Driving (October 2009 - AAMVA, AAA, AASHTO, American Highway Users Alliance, GHSA)
'Heads Up' Driving Week (AAA and AAA Foundation)
2009 Traffic Safety Culture Index (July 2009 - AAA Foundation)
State Cell Phone Driving Laws (GHSA)
Driven to Distraction: Distracted Driving Laws in Canada (CAA)
Driver Distractions in Commercial Vehicle Operations (FMCSA)
National Safety Council's Distracted Driving Web site (NSC)
"Driven to Distraction" (New York Times special series on distracted driving)
Drowsy and Distracted Driving (NHTSA)
White House Executive Order: Federal Leadership on Reducing Text Messaging While Driving (Oct. 1, 2009)
U.S. DOT Distracted Driving Summit (Oct. 2009) Access archived Web cast, blog, NHTSA traffic safety facts, etc.
An Examination of Driver Distraction as Recorded in NHTSA Databases (Sept. 2009)
Keeping Young Drivers Safe (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia)